Impact of ADHD on the neurocognitive functioning of adolescents with bipolar disorder

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Background: Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (BD) has been associated with a number of neurocognitive deficits not dissimilar to ADHD.
This study compared neuropsychological profiles of 4 groups of adolescents (14–17 years): 41 Normal Controls (NC), 30 ADHD, 12 BD
and 12 combined (BD+ADHD).
Methods: Participants were identified according to a standardized protocol (WASHU-KSADS mood section, K-SADS-PL and Conners
Scales) and completed tests of processing speed, memory, executive functioning, set shifting, and inhibition. ADHD adolescents on
stimulant medication did not take it on the day.
Results: After controlling for covariates, the ADHD-only and combined groups were most impaired, including processing and naming
speed, working memory, and response inhibition. The ADHD-only group showed specific impairment in naming objects, numbers and
letters than the NC and showed greater deficits than the BD-only group on tests of naming speed. The combined group showed greatest
deficits in verbal memory and inhibitory control. Other than working memory, there were no differences between the BD-only and NC
groups. Removal of BD-NOS did not impact on the results.
Conclusions: This study failed to find broad neurocognitive deficits in BD-only adolescents. Only those with comorbid ADHD showed
cognitive deficits, highlighting the impact ADHD may have on neurocognitive functioning of BD.